A Shaky Roma Collects Three Points Defeating Genoa 2-1

Roma collected three important points to get closer to the qualification for the 2018-19 Champions League.

A match that for a long time seemed a summer friendly. Players a bit lazy and distracted, actors of a boring first half. The lack of leadership in midfield slowed Roma’s development of the game in front of a motivated Genoa. Gonalons, Pellegrini, and Gerson struggled in speeding up the game leaving Edin Dzeko isolated and in the shadows.

Thanks to Kolarov‘s perfect free-kick the Turkish talent Cengiz Under broke the deadlock stubbing Perin and throwing himself into the net as well. The Turk played a good first half but his teammates have not impressed for competitive ardor albeit Alisson has not been under effort often.

Di Francesco and Ballardini started the second 45 minutes with the same 22 players but the Lupi managed the ball a little better being more productive.

Zukanovic’s own goal right at the beginning of the second half gave Roma the double lead. The Giallorossi put more pressure on Genoa’s midfielders also destabilizing their backline.

An exciting moment in the 60th minute when Ballardini played the unfortunate Giuseppe Rossi, the Italian striker that had suffered multiple serious injuries to his knees. The fans of theGiallorossi, though, suffered a sudden shock when Lapadula reduced the gap after a very poor back pass by Gerson. Roma seemed to lose its way completely giving Genoa the chance to find the equalizer with Rossi, Allison saved!

Di Francesco decided to give a little more stability to Roma’s backline, replacing a disappointing Gerson with Manolas, and fresh energies on the offensive sector, benching Under for Patrik Schick.

A very shaky Roma was about to compromise the final result giving confidence to Ballardini’s crew. EDF, though, decided to reshape his team completely replacing El Shaarawy with Strootman. The Dutchman led the midfield until the end of the match.

A nervy and disappointing performance at the Stadio Olimpico but Roma collected three important points.